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Unaffiliated Church of The Golden Rule

...Trying to Live by it!!

Must we believe in a particular religion, in a particular definition of God or just "live a good life."  UCGR doesn't claim to know, but believes that trying to live by the Golden Rule is good no matter what. If people treated each other as they'd like to be treated, the world wouldn't be perfect, but it would be a better place!  Could it be that other than treating each other well, everything else is "a tempest in a tea pot?"  Maybe, maybe not, but certainly there's lots of noise coming from it...

The Unaffiliated Church of the Golden Rule isn't just for people who don’t "fit" in elsewhere.  UCGR may be a bit eccentric but its not crazy... after all new churches spring up all the time!

UCGR has no creed, dogma, reading list or talking points and believes in an all powerful God.  UCGR doesn't proselytize, isn't agnostic or Gnostic its a virtual church and online spiritual community for people with inquiring minds.  UCGR sees nothing wrong with religious beliefs evolving over time and sees that as a valid part of spiritual growth.  The church lacks funds for missions etc., instead it seeks to offer free lay counseling to people suffering from substance abuse and other problems.

UCGR doesn't take itself all that seriously and thinks it would be nice if other churches lightened up too, but that's unlikely to happen. Yes, God's as serious a subject as there is, but since the creator seems to have a sense of humor, why do we take ourselves so seriously? 

Although primarily online currently, UCGR also meets at the old Sherman Post Office in Nashville, Indiana when possible.  Services may consist of; discussions, music, prayer and sprucing up the place. Discussions and readings may be from any number of "holy" books.  The emphasis will be examination and hopefully a bit of enlightenment, not automatic agreement or rote memorization.

If you want a dogma and creed UCGR suggests that you do you homework and produce your own... but if you're lazy or impressionable there're plenty of people who'll serve you one on a silver platter!

UCGR is a church not a religion and has roots in Unitarianism and various Christian denominations, both of which it respects but has has fundamental differences with.  UCGR's basically a somewhat conservative spin-off of a liberal church and sees itself as a throwback to some of the churches that existed in the early days of this country.  This is consistent with UCGRs belief that spiritual growth is a journey, that churches evolve and that from time to time "spin-offs" are a natural part of that process.

Most aspire to live by the Golden Rule, but no one alive today succeeds 100%... we miss the mark, or sin as they say.  We're incapable of perfection since as a species we're incredibly self centered.  That creates problems when it comes to treating others as we'd like to be treated, since we have a knack for "seeing things our way."  Admittedly or not, we may use others to further our ambitions even when we think we're being unselfish.  That's why traditional religious teachings about morality are so helpful, but other sources of moral teachings may be just as useful!  The major religions argue that there are dire consequences for those who fail or stray from their beliefs... UCGR thinks that ideology may be a human invention.

Is it ironic, or just tragic that religion's the last thing some will kill for and the first thing that others will kill for?

Salt Creek Road, Nashville, Indiana.

UCGR believes there's nothing wrong with beliefs changing as one grows spiritually and learns new things.  The idea that religious truth is chiseled in stone is dubious to UCGR... discovering the truth is likely a continuous process!

UCGR thinks you can live a good and spiritual life with, or without joining an organized religion, but thinks it is advantageous to be in touch with somewhat likeminded people.  UCGR believes in God but doesn't claim to know "who or what" God is and finds major religions' facts about God to be strange and inconsistent at best.

UCGR don't think people should rely entirely on the dictates of their conscience to guide them through life, nor should we rely on the conscience and doctrines of others, no matter how fervent and certain they are about their religious views. 

UCGR is privy to no revelations, but does have boundless curiosity!

That we do not always live up to the golden rule is partly due to our failings and partly due to other people expecting us to do things their way.  Trying to live by the Golden Rule should not be confused with being a door mat or a tool... there's nothing wrong with resisting those who would guilt or harangue you into doing their bidding!

UCGR knows nothing concrete about the afterlife, but finds it compelling that people from different backgrounds report similar near death experiences... if they see a savior, he's usually the one from their own religion!

UCGR doesn't pretend to be the route to salvation, instead it hopes to promote communication among people pondering the great questions, who find the usual standard answers unpersuasive and lacking in credibility.

Although the religious market place is crowded, UCGR thinks others should also consider starting churches as the established ones have dominated the field for too long.  UCGR supports freedom of discussion, research and inquiry and bans no religious books or topics! 

UCGR has roots in Unitarianism and various Christian denominations...

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